In addition, the producers are still in negotiations with several other actors to fill in the other roles. They are David Costabile, Byron Jennings, Dakin Matthews, Boris McGiver, Gloria Reuben, and David Warshofsky. According to Variety, the film is mirroring "JFK" in terms of having a lot of stars making cameo-like appearances.

Jones in particular is slipping in the role of a Republican leader and powerful congressman from Pennsylvania, Thaddeus Stevens. The character was "a staunch supporter of abolishing slavery and was critical to writing the legislation that funded the American Civil War." Gordon-Levitt is tapped to play Lincoln's eldest son Robert Todd while Strong is Lincoln's right hand man and private secretary John George Nicolay who was by Lincoln's side until his death.

The film itself would highlight Lincoln's political rivalry with the powerful men of his cabinet. Filming will begin this fall after Spielberg is done with the post-production of "War Horse".